Decorative picture hanger assembly

ABSTRACT

A decorative support assembly comprising a decorative medallion and a support with a hooked end for hanging pictures. The support includes a horizontal mounting plate to be received within one of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal slots in the back of the medallion to selectively position the latter relative to the support.

United States Patent Webster 51 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] DECORATIVE PICTURE HANGER ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: Robert B. Webster, Newport Beach,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Newell Mfg. Co., Freeport, Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 21, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 99,755

[52] US. Cl. ..248/497, 248/225, 248/262 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f 7/14 [58] Field of Search ..248/497, 495, 496, 262, 489,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,761,640 9/1956 Frater..... ..248/496 2,872,144 2/1959 Hobson ..248/243 X 3,216,680 11/1965 Musante ..248/497 1,400,150 12/1921 Goble.-. ..248/497 3,525,493 8/1970 Chrietzberg et al. ..248/224 Primary Exarniner Chancellor E. Harris Att0rney-Wolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann ABSTRACT A decorative support assembly comprising a decorative medallion and a support with a hooked end for hanging pictures. The support includes a horizontal mounting plate to be received within one of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal slots in the back of the medallion to selectively position the latter relative to the support.

9Claims, 7, Drawing Figures DECORATIVE PICTURE HANGER ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the primary aims of the present invention is to I provide a new and improved decorative support assembly of the above general character which is simpler and less expensive to manufacture and more easily adapted to various types of support members than the support assemblies heretofore available. I

Another important object is to provide a decorative element which is adjustable to and positively held in anyone of a selected number of predetermined vertical positions relative to the support member. I v

A related object is to arrange the support member to more positively hold the decorative element and the support member together than was heretofore possible and, at the same time, positively hold the decorative element so that it is properly positioned relative to the support member.

The invention also resides in the novel construction of the parts of the decorative support assembly and their coaction to hold the decorative element and support member together.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a decorative support assembly embodying the novel features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the back of the decorative element.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top portion of a picture hanger acting as a support member which embodies the novel features of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the decorative element in phantom and a curtain rod bracket acting as a support member which also embodies the novel features of the present invention.

. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is embodied in a decorative support assembly l0.comprising a decorative element or medallion l1 and a support member in the form of a picture hanger 13 which is formed from a vertically elongated, metalic plate and includes an upturned lower end portion or hook 14 suitable for hanging an object such as a picture (not shown) on a wall 15. In use, the hanger is secured to the wall in a selected location by any suitable means, such as by a nail 16 inserted through a hole 17 in the top portion of the hanger and driven at a downward angle into the wall until the head 19 of the nail draws the back 20 of the hanger flat against the wall surface (FIG. 2). Once the hanger is fixed on the wall, the decorative medallion is clipped thereon and used as an ornament to provide a pleasant accent to the picture hanging from the hook in addition to covering the nail and upper portion of the hanger.

When mounting the medallion 11 on the picture hanger 13, the former is aligned with the latter in a selected vertical position and pushed to snap onto the hanger. The medallion, which can be made in any design, shape or size, is in the present instance shown as a circular member (FIG. 1) molded from a suitable plastic which gives way when pushed onto the harder material of the hanger. Because of the flowable characteristic of the plastic, once the medallion is seated in position, that portion of the plastic pushed away by the hanger has a tendency to return to its original position and thus provides a locking action between the hanger and the medallion to hold the two members together.

In accordance with the present invention, the decorative element 11 is held against twisting, slipping, falling off or otherwise moving from a selected one of a predetermined number of mounted positions on the picture hanger 13. Consistent with this aspect, the decorative support assembly is constructed and arranged in a novel manner to hold the decorative medallion in anyone of the predetermined positions. To these ends, mounting means project forwardly from the hanger to fit selectively within one pair of a predetermined number of vertically spaced pairs of horizontally aligned holes or slots 21 formed in the back of the decorative medallion. Thus, with this arrangement, the decorative medallion may be coupled with the hanger in a positively held position that best complements the appearance of the combination of the medallion and the picture.

To support the decorative medallion 11 on the picture hanger 13, the mounting means includes a generally rectangular mounting plate 23 which is stamped out of the top portion of the hanger (FIG. 6). The plate is of a predetermined length and width extending lengthwise generally horizontal to the hanger and having its back edge 24 integrally formed with the top portion of the hanger. Thus, when the decorative medallion is placed on the mounting plate, the latter fits into a pair of the slots 21 to hold the medallion in a selected vertical position relative to the picture hanger.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the decorative medallion l 1 includes an ornamental front surface 25 and a back 26 having a pair of columns 27 separated a distance slightly 'greater than the predetermined length of the mounting plate 23. The inside walls 29 of the columns thus define an opening 30 of a depth greater than the width of the mounting plate so that, when the medallion is vertically positioned on the mounting plate, the picture hanger 13 and the medallion fit flush against each other providing a flat fitting against the wall as shown in FIG. 2.

To selectively position the decorative medallion l l vertically on the mounting plate 23, each column 27 includes a plurality of flanges 31 extending into the opening. The flanges on each column are verticallyspaced from each otherand horizontally aligned with the flanges of the other column so as to form a plurality of slots 21 of predetermined width. The ends 33 of the mounting plate are. selectively received within a horizontally aligned pair ofthe slots with the mounting plate resting on a selected pairof horizontally aligned flanges; Thus, the medallion is, positively positioned on thepicturehanger-l3. t t

Stamped adjacent each of the ends 33 of the mountingplate 23 is an upwardly projecting fnib 34 which acts 1 to yieldably lock the decorative medallion 11" on the t plate. The height of the nibsis slightly greater predetermined width of the slots 21 so that,

whenthe medallion is forced ontothe mounting plate, the nibs wedge the plate between thewalls 35 and 36 of pairs of flanges (FIG: 4) 'dentinginto the upper wall 35 to .hold the decorative medallion on the mounting t plate. Since thefmaterial of the decorative element is plasticand tendsto its original shape after being dented, the dents in the walls tend to straighten out and close in behind the nibs yieldably locking the within the selected slots.

t To ake the fit in the slots 21 as tight as possible, the nibs 34 are located adjacent the ends 33 of the mounting plate 23. Thus, whenthe medallion =ll ;is pushed onto the plate, the nibs locate in the slots 21 relatively -closetothe points where the flanges 31 are connected to the inside walls 29 of thecolum'ns 27. The flanges, not'being as flexibleatthese points, provide a. greater I resistance to the wedging action of the nibs. As a-con- For proper seating of the nibs 34 and mounting plate 23 within the slots 21, the flanges 31 extend toward the center of the opening 30a distance less than half of the 7 width of the opening, leaving an open area 43 (FIG. 1) of predetermined width between the respective ends of eachpair of horizontally aligned flanges. The'head 19 of the nail 16 is of a diameter slightly less than the predetermined width of the open area to fit between theends of the flanges and allow aflush mating between the support hook l3 andthe decorative medallion 11. Otherwise, the head of the nail might hit against the outer sides 41 of the flanges and'prevent a proper seating of the nibs within the slots.

Once the picture hanger 13 has been nailed on the wall the picture may be hung from the hook l4 and, the medallion mountedon the hanger in its selected position relative to the picture. In the present instance, the hook is provided" with 'a .longitudinal groove 44 punched'upwardly from itsbottom side 45 (FIGS. 1; and 2). The. groove extends from alocat'ion adjacent the free endof the hook to a position slightly above the other end to give it additional strength. Thus, heavier 5 pictures and frames be hung fromlthe, picture hanger without causing the hook to bend and straighten out.

Although the invention'has been described in connection with a decorative support assembly 10 used for a 13 is determined. Furthermore, when mounting the .tioned as closely as possible to the ends 33 of the mounting plate 23 while maintaining their maximum height for effective wedging between the walls 35 and 36 of the flanges 31. Each nib is representedby a segment of a sphere pushed upwardly from the bottom surface 37 (FIG. 4) of the mounting plate and having a vertical wall 39 facing toward and paralleling the closest end 33 of the mounting plate. Thetop of the wall forms a relatively sharp, arcuate edge 40 on the outer surface of the nib. I

To provide an additional holding action between the flanges 31 and the mounting plate 23 the walls '35 and 36 of the flanges are slightly inclined so that the slots 21 become increasingly narrow toward the bottom of the opening Thus, the width of each flangeat its outer side 41 (FIG. 2) isless than the width at its connection hanging pictures, the invention may be used in connec-. tion with numerous other types of support assemblies.

An alternative embodiment showing the invention used in connectionwith a support asembly45 for curtain rods is shown in FIG. 7. In this instance, a right angle bracket 46 is secured to J the wall at its base 47 by screws 49 and includes a support arm 50 which projects outwardly from a connection tothe base to carry a curtain rod 51. The mounting plate 53 is horizontally positioned on the free end of the support to function in the same manner as described above.

Thus, it is seen, by selecting'the proper slots within which the mounting plate 23'is to fit, the location of the decorative medallion 11 relative to the picture hanger medallion on the mounting plate in one of the predetermined vertical positions, the novel construction of the 1 mounting means provides that the medallion cannot twist or slide vertically relative to the support hook even upon repeated coupling and uncoupling with the mounting plate. I claim as my invention:

I 1. In adecorative support assembly, the combination with'the bottom of the opening. Consequently, the 6s of a support member, a mounting plate connected to said support member, 'said plate having a predeter-v elongated slots formed therein and vertically spaced from each other selectively to receive said plate to posia length at least equal to the predetermined length of v I said plate and of a width slightly'less than the thickness of said end portions, the depth of said slots being slightly greater than the width of the plate so that, when said decorative element is pushed onto said plate, said end portions bind said plate between the walls of the the predetermined length of said plate, said side walls having a plurality of horizontally extending flanges formed thereon and vertically spaced from each other selectively to receive said plate therebetween to position said decorative element at a predetermined position relative to said support member, said flanges on one of said side walls being in horizontal alignment with the flanges on the other side wall, the space between each of said flanges being slightly less than the thickness of said end portions and the width of said side walls being slightly greater than the width of the plate so that, when said decorative element is pushed onto said plate, said end portions act to clip said plate between pairs of said flanges in said predetermined position to hold said decorative element and said support member together.

3. The decorative support assembly defined by claim 2 having ears projecting vertically from said mounting plate at a position spaced from said support member and adjacent each end of said plate to form said end portions, said ears being spaced from each other a predetermined distance and being operable to bind said plate between said pairs of flanges when said decorative element is pushed onto said plate in said predetermined position.

4. The decorative support assembly defined by claim 3 wherein substantially vertical columns form the side walls of said opening, said flanges extending substantially along the width of said side walls and connecting to the bottom of said opening, and the distance between the ends of said aligned flanges being at most equal to the predetermined distance between said ears.

5. The decorative support assembly defined by claim 3 wherein said ears each include a generally vertical wall extending the height of said ear and facing the adjacent end of said plate to form an arcuate edge on the outer surface of said ear, said edge to dent into one of said flanges to reduce the possibility .of horizontal movement of the plate when held in said predetermined position.

6. The decorative assembly of claim 2 wherein said support member includes a hook for hanging a picture on a wall and comprises a-hanging plate mountable against the wall and having upper and lower end portions, said lower end having an upturned portion forming the hook, said upper end portion having a nail hole therein for mounting said hanging plate against the wall, said mounting plate being stamped from a portion of the upper end portion with one edge thereof integrally formed with said hanging plate, said mounting plate extending outwardly, generally normal to said h l t d e orative assembly of claim 6 wherein said hook includes a longitudinal groove stamped therein, 7

said groove having one end adjacent the free'end of said upturned portion of said hanging plate and extending therefrom to a position spaced upwardly from the beginning of said upturned portion.

8. The decorative assembly of claim 2 wherein said support member includes a bracket member for connection to a wall to'support a curtain rod, said bracket member comprising a supporter arm for holding .one end of the curtain rod and an abutment plate connected to one end of said supporter for mounting said bracket member to the wall, said mounting plate being connected to the other end of said supporter arm.

9. In a decorative support assembly, the combination of a support member, mounting means having one end and connected to said support member and a free end, a decorative element comprising an ornamental front surface and a back surface with a plurality of first openings formed therein and spaced vertically from each other and a plurality of second openings also formed in said back surface and corresponding to and horizontally spaced from said first openings a predetermined distance, said first and second openings being of a predetermined size and being defined by yieldable walls which extend into said decorative element to a at a predetermined position relative to said support 7 member, a portion of the free end of said mounting means being slightly larger than the predetermined size of said openings so that when said decorative element is pushed onto said mounting means said walls are wedged apart and bind against said portion within at least one of said openings to hold'said decorative element in said predetermined position on said support member. 

1. In a decorative support assembly, the combination of a support member, a mounting plate connected to said support member, said plate having a predetermined length and width and extending lengthwise horizontally of said support member, said plate having end portions of predetermined thickness, a decorative element comprising an ornamental front surface and a back surface with a plurality of horizontally extending, elongated slots formed therein and vertically spaced from each other selectively to receive said plate to position said decorative element at a predetermined position relative to said support member, said slots being of a length at least equal to the predetermined length of said plate and of a width slightly less than the thickness of said end portions, the depth of said slots being slightly greater than the width of the plate so that, when said decorative element is pushed onto said plate, said end portions bind said plate between the walls of the selected one of said slots to hold said decorative element and said support member together.
 2. In a decorative support assembly, the combination of a support member, a mounting plate connected to said support member, said plate having a predetermined length and width and extending lengthwise horizontally of said support member, said plate having end portions of predetermined thickness, a decorative element comprising an ornamental front surface and a back surface with an opening therein, said opening having side walls spaced apart a distance at least equal to the predetermined length of said plate, said side walls having a plurality of horizontally extending flanges formed thereon and vertically spaced from each other selectively to receive said plate therebetween to position said decorative element at a predetermined position relative to said support member, said flanges on one of said side walls being in horizontal alignment with the flanges on the other side wall, the space between each of said flanges being slightly less than the thickness of said end portions and the width of said side walls being slightly greater than the width of the plate so that, when said decorative element is pushed onto said plate, said end portions act to clip said plate between pairs of said flanges in said predetermined position to hold said decorative element and said support member together.
 3. The decorative support assembly defined by claim 2 having ears projecting vertically from said mounting plate at a position spaced from said support member and adjacent each end of said plate to form said end portions, said ears being spaced from each other a predetermined distance and being operable to bind said plate between said pairs of flanges when said decorative element is pushed onto said plate in said predetermined position.
 4. The decorative support assembly defined by claim 3 wherein substantially verticAl columns form the side walls of said opening, said flanges extending substantially along the width of said side walls and connecting to the bottom of said opening, and the distance between the ends of said aligned flanges being at most equal to the predetermined distance between said ears.
 5. The decorative support assembly defined by claim 3 wherein said ears each include a generally vertical wall extending the height of said ear and facing the adjacent end of said plate to form an arcuate edge on the outer surface of said ear, said edge to dent into one of said flanges to reduce the possibility of horizontal movement of the plate when held in said predetermined position.
 6. The decorative assembly of claim 2 wherein said support member includes a hook for hanging a picture on a wall and comprises a hanging plate mountable against the wall and having upper and lower end portions, said lower end having an upturned portion forming the hook, said upper end portion having a nail hole therein for mounting said hanging plate against the wall, said mounting plate being stamped from a portion of the upper end portion with one edge thereof integrally formed with said hanging plate, said mounting plate extending outwardly, generally normal to said hanging plate.
 7. The decorative assembly of claim 6 wherein said hook includes a longitudinal groove stamped therein, said groove having one end adjacent the free end of said upturned portion of said hanging plate and extending therefrom to a position spaced upwardly from the beginning of said upturned portion.
 8. The decorative assembly of claim 2 wherein said support member includes a bracket member for connection to a wall to support a curtain rod, said bracket member comprising a supporter arm for holding one end of the curtain rod and an abutment plate connected to one end of said supporter for mounting said bracket member to the wall, said mounting plate being connected to the other end of said supporter arm.
 9. In a decorative support assembly, the combination of a support member, mounting means having one end and connected to said support member and a free end, a decorative element comprising an ornamental front surface and a back surface with a plurality of first openings formed therein and spaced vertically from each other and a plurality of second openings also formed in said back surface and corresponding to and horizontally spaced from said first openings a predetermined distance, said first and second openings being of a predetermined size and being defined by yieldable walls which extend into said decorative element to a predetermined depth, said mounting means extending outwardly from said support member a distance slightly less than the depth of said openings and being sized to fit between the walls of a pair of corresponding openings to selectively position said decorative element at a predetermined position relative to said support member, a portion of the free end of said mounting means being slightly larger than the predetermined size of said openings so that when said decorative element is pushed onto said mounting means said walls are wedged apart and bind against said portion within at least one of said openings to hold said decorative element in said predetermined position on said support member. 